Kyslytsya: North Korea has already sent over 20,000 containers of weapons to Russia

Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, said this at a meeting of the UN Security Council, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

According to Kyslytsya, North Korea is now entering the war in a fully-fledged manner.

“These troops are fighting under assumed identities of Russia’s Far East nationalities, using forged documents. Primarily, they operate as combined arms units trained for action in the European theater of military operations,” he said.

Kyslytsya noted that the current North Korean military contingent of 11,000 troops could quickly be increased to 100,000 soldiers. At the same time, he noted that the question of whether the Pyongyang regime truly requires such a substantial number of combat-trained servicemen solely to assist its Russian allies is rhetorical at best.

Kyslytsya also stressed that the DPRK had sent more than 20,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles. As reported by Ukraine’s military defense intelligence, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with 100 KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles. The first use of these weapons by Russia against Ukraine, including against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, was recorded at the end of 2023.

In 2024, Ukraine documented approximately 60 launches of such missiles, accounting for one-third of all ballistic missile attacks carried out by Russia this year, the diplomat added.

According to him, recent reports from the expert community point to satellite images that reveal the DPRK is expanding a manufacturing complex in the city of Hamhung. This industrial facility assembles KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, which Russia has used against Ukraine, including for targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure. The satellite images reportedly taken in early October show the construction of what appears to be an additional assembly building as well as a new housing facility likely intended for workers.

Additionally, there have been recent reports that Russia received 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems from the DPRK.

The diplomat stressed that Pyongyang’s support comes at a price, and this is access to Russian technology in missile, nuclear and other military programs.

“We call on all responsible nations to take immediate actions to resolutely counteract the Russian and North Korean regimes – from increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang to maximizing Ukraine’s capabilities within the framework of the Victory Plan, presented by President Zelensky,” Kyslytsya said.